Judges
Besides the airshow attendees, there will be a panel of judges that are knowledegable with the details of formation flying. If you'd like to be a judge, please send an email to: starwizz@pacbell.net

Criteria
Judging criteria is still being developed but expect to be judged according to the T-34 formation manual. More experienced pilots (and teams) will be judged on stricter criteria. A handicap method based on classes will be used to level the field based on the class that they qualify for.

Expect to be judged on:

1. Briefing: Were the maneuvers covered? Radio usage and emergencies are just part of the criteria.
2. Timing: Did you start your routine when you said you would?
3. Maneuvers: Did you execute the stated maneuvers?
4. Execution: Did you execute the maneuvers in the proscribed area? (for example, a transition from diamond to echlon at airshow center)
5. Crispness: Were maneuvers authoritative and deliberate? (your team doesn't look like an exploding fart)
6. Spacing: Experienced teams will be expected to hold tighter tolerances on spacing and step up/down. Less experienced teams will be judged on looser tolerances. The rules page describes in detail the different classes.
7. Debrief: Were all aspects of the flight efficiently reviewed and were issues discussed?
   

Example Routines
The following examplers are not intended to be detailed briefing cards. They are an example of what is expected of each time and what the judges will be looking for. Each team will be expected to complete a briefing and provide a briefing card for their routine. The following examples are intended to show the type of maneuvers that can be done during a routine and what the judges will be basing their scores on. The judges will be comparing what you said you were going to do (what's on your briefing card) with what you actually do. This is not intended to be an exhaustive set of examples but I'm sure you'll get the idea of what is permitted and or expected.

Full House Teams

• Full House teams are defined as those teams with all carded pilots with one lead card holding pilot.
• Full House teams are expected to take off and land in at least element formation.
• Formation join ups after takeoff will be executed by the downwind leg unless safety is an issue.
• Card says enter airshow left in stacked down trail. Judges will be looking at the spacing and position keeping. Are the aircraft moving excessively? Is there a crack-the-whip motion going on? Did the formation loosen up after the pass?
• Card says that you will enter airshow left in fingertip strong right and trasition to diamond at airshow center. Judges will be looking at the stability of the formation prior to the shift, how precisely the shift occurs, and the stability of the formation after the shift. This is in addition to the symmetry and spacing of the formation.
• Advanced teams will be judged every second that they are in the air.
• Unless deemed unsafe for various reasons, element landings will be the basic judging criteria. An exception would be that the pass and subsequent break to land is part of the routine. Judges will be looking at break timing and intervals.

Two Pair Teams

• Two Pair teams are those teams that have one lead card pilot, one wingman card pilot and two pilots without cards. (A pair of carded pilots and a pair of non carded pilots)
  
• Element take offs are permitted based on lead’s knowledge and comfort level of his non carded pilots.
• Individual take offs are permitted but judges will be looking to see that the formation is assembled prior to the base leg of the pass.
• Card says that the formation will enter airshow left in a diamond, exit airshow right and transition into trail. The judges will be looking to see if the formation becomes sloppy during the transition. Did the team have a stable formation during the pass? Was the symmetry correct? Were the aircraft too close for their class? Are they too far apart for their class?
• As the formation circles for another pass the judges will be watching to see how the formation behaves. Does the formation spread out too much and become a gaggle during non show passes?
• Formation landings will be addressed on a team by team basis but judges will be looking at break timing, crispness, and symmetry.